9 Drugs that May Be Laced with Fentanyl You Need to Know About

9 Drugs that May Be Laced with Fentanyl You Need to Know About
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Fentanyl overdose is a serious concern. Over 150 people die each day from overdosing on opioids such as fentanyl. This drug is dangerous by itself, but illicit drug manufacturers may place other drugs with fentanyl to improve their potency. People can become tricked into overdosing on fentanyl if they aren’t aware of this opioid’s presence. Read on for more information about nine drugs that may be laced with fentanyl and what to do in the event of an overdose.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl1 is a synthetic opioid used in prescription medications to treat severe and/or chronic severe pain, such as pain from surgery. As a Schedule II controlled substance, fentanyl is illegal to make at home or take without the supervision/approval of licensed medical professionals. Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.

You may know fentanyl by one of several street names, including but not limited to:

  • Apache
  • Dance fever
  • Friend
  • Goodfellas
  • Jackpot
  • Murder 8
  • Tango & cash

While most fentanyl is pharmaceutical, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is becoming increasingly common. Illegal drug markets distribute illegally manufactured fentanyl and may add it to other drugs. This is called “lacing” drugs with fentanyl. illicit drug manufacturers lace illegal drugs with fentanyl because it is very potent and addictive. It also sometimes makes other drugs more powerful or dangerous.

Drug manufacturers can easily lace fentanyl into other drugs because powdered fentanyl is unremarkable. It looks like a white powder, so they mix it into drugs like cocaine and heroin. They also manufacture it into pills that are added to other prescription opioid bottles. Alternatively, drug manufacturers may turn fentanyl into a liquid form to mix it with eyedrops, nasal sprays, and more.

Dangers of Fentanyl Overdose

Unfortunately, drugs laced with fentanyl oftentimes contain deadly levels of this illegal substance. It is almost impossible for individuals to see, taste, or smell illicit fentanyl, making it even more dangerous.

Fentanyl overdose shares many signs with other opioid overdoses. Common symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:

  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limpness in the limbs or the entire body
  • Constriction of the pupils to small pinpoints
  • Loss of consciousness or falling asleep
  • Slow or weak breathing
  • No breathing
  • Cold or clammy skin
  • Skin discoloration

If an individual overdosing on fentanyl does not receive medical attention fast enough, they may lose their life.

Drugs that Might Be Laced with Fentanyl

Many street drugs, prescription medications, and other products may be laced with fentanyl. Some common drugs that might be laced with fentanyl include:

  • Oxycodone (Oxycontin/Percocet)
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Amphetamines (Adderall)
  • Nasal sprays
  • Eye drops
  • Heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine

In addition, illegally manufactured fentanyl or IMF is sometimes dropped onto small candies or wax paper once it turns into liquid form.

Fentanyl in Fake Pills

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is most commonly added to fake pills. Unfortunately, fake pills are very difficult to spot, making the possibility of consuming a drug laced with fentanyl more likely than you may think. Fake pills are very easy to purchase and are widely available. But they look very similar to their legitimate counterparts.

For example, fake pills are made to look like prescription opioids like oxycodone. According to the DEA, these fake pills include many of the same markers, signifiers, symbols, or colors as legitimate pills.

According to the DEA, 6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills2 contain possibly lethal doses of fentanyl. Individuals must be very careful when taking drugs that might be laced with fentanyl if they are unsure where the drugs came from.

It may be wise to purchase fentanyl test strips, which test drugs like eyedrops or nasal sprays for fentanyl. Testing strips usually give results in five minutes or less. However, testing strips are not foolproof and can display false negative results. Furthermore, testing strips don’t always detect drugs similar to fentanyl, such as carfentanil. Testing strips are also not helpful for testing potentially laced pills or powders.

What to Do if Someone May Be Overdosing on Fentanyl

If someone you know is potentially overdosing on fentanyl,3 you should take the following steps immediately:

  • First, call 911 to get emergency services to your location as soon as possible
  • If available, administer naloxone. This could be the difference between life and death
  • Try to keep the overdosing individual awake and breathing
  • If needed, turn the person on their side to stop them from choking
  • Always stay with the overdosing individual until emergency workers arrive. Provide the emergency workers with everything you know about the situation when asked

Getting Help for Substance Abuse

The potential for fentanyl overdose is not the only consequence of substance abuse or addiction. The abuse of substances such as heroin or other opioids can have long-lasting and negative effects on one’s life by damaging or destroying relationships, making it difficult to hold down a job, and causing many physical symptoms or side effects.

If you or a loved one require the support of heroin rehab services in California, Clear Life Recovery can help. We look beyond the physical symptoms of heroin addiction and offer a holistic approach to recovery.

Our substance abuse treatment center provides an approach that emphasizes the things that make life productive and joyful. Through our holistic recovery strategies, we can help you find purpose and happiness in each day, allowing you to build up positive habits and behaviors that minimize the power that illegal drugs have on your life.

Clear Life Recovery also knows that each patient’s ideal treatment plan is different. That’s why we offer a variety of different therapies and amenities, including but not limited to:

  • Family therapy
  • Exercise and nutrition support
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Recreational outings
  • Addiction treatment programs for both men and women

You can get help for your substance abuse and keep yourself safe from the possibility of a fentanyl overdose. Contact Clear Life Recovery.

 

Sources:

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/pdf/fentanyl_fact_sheet_508c.pdf

[2] https://www.dea.gov/onepill

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html